A Different Look at FILCO
Downtown Coyoacán has grown alongside the city, always open to new ideas, new businesses, and even new residents, yet never losing its essence. Commerce has flourished, and its range of entertainment and attractions has expanded. Today, it’s not just the museums, historic churches, or restaurants—now the cultural events themselves are a main draw.
In this spirit, the Coyoacán International Book Fair (FILCO) celebrated its fourth edition in 2025, with special guests: the State of Coahuila and Japan. The fair welcomed around 250,000 visitors and over 180 exhibitors. Unlike other book fairs I usually attend, this time my curiosity was focused on the exhibitors—to understand what goes on behind the scenes at FILCO. I prepared a few questions, and one kind exhibitor agreed to share their perspective.
What books are people asking for the most?
That’s a tricky question—it depends on the audience. This is a fair with a diverse crowd: high school students, visitors from other countries, seniors, couples, and even kids. For example, foreign visitors are especially drawn to Mexican culture-related things. They’re fascinated by books featuring pre-Hispanic illustrations, especially from publishers like Editorial Herring, which may seem niche to locals but are eye-catching to them. Young adult books are also popular. So are themes related to gender, the LGBT+ community, and migration. There’s also some interest in poetry.
How do you see the attendees this year?
Very diverse, which is fantastic. There’s strength in diversity, and that’s why we brought a wide variety of books.
What do you think is the purpose of FILCO?
I think the goal of any book fair is to bring publishers closer to the community, encourage reading, and promote culture through events like author signings, dramatic readings, book launches, and guest speakers from countries and states. I’ve always believed that sports and culture can protect children and young people from harmful activities. Just a few days ago, a friend of mine, who’s been in the business for years, told me that a book fair guarantees lower crime rates in the area where it’s held.
What was your biggest challenge at FILCO?
Putting up and taking down the canopy—haha, just kidding. Honestly, the biggest challenge was the outdoor setting. Even though we had tents, the weather and the change of season worsened my allergic rhinitis, so I was a bit uncomfortable. Another personal challenge was maintaining energy during quieter hours when visitor traffic dropped—it’s tough for someone who likes to stay active all the time.
What was the most rewarding part of your experience at FILCO?
There were moments in my life as a librarian when I dreamed of becoming a bookseller, but I never thought it would happen. FILCO is the first fair I’ve joined as a bookseller, and I’ve learned a lot. It’s a beautiful metaphor—selling books is like life itself. The books you expect to fly off the shelf may take longer to sell, and the ones you least expect are gone within hours. Life surprises you—you’re never fully prepared and adapt as things come your way.
I hope this view of FILCO helps us appreciate the often overlooked work of booksellers, exhibitors, and vendors. Sometimes, we take these activities for granted, not realizing that without their dedication, these events wouldn’t be possible. I also hope it encourages others to visit this fair—and others—knowing that behind them lies a great deal of planning, logistics, and, above all, a deep love for books.